Alarm valve for sprinkler systems



June 6, 1933. w B. GRIFFITH ALARM VALVE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Filed Dec. l2, 1929 Patented June 6, 19,33

\ UNITED STATES MT1-:INT

oFF-ICE CORPORATION, OFV PHILADELPHIA," PEIQV'NSYDYANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW e JERSEY ALARM `vnnvii son. SPRINKLER SYSTEMS `Application iled li'eceniberf12,` 1929." Serial Nol 413,465.

invention relates to `an `alarm valve adapted for sprinkler systems for the protection of buildings against lire.

ln sprinkler' systems it is the common 5 practice to employ an alarm valve through which the Water is supplied to the system, and an alarm dev-ice whichv is operated by the water pressure fupassing through the valve when the same is opened4 by the sys- L9 tem beinglopened and brought into operation. `Heretotore it has been necessaryto employ a separate retarding device which was interposed betweenthe valve and the i alarm device for preventing the premature operationofthe latter, due to fluctuations or waterhammer in the water` supply pres-V sure, which would cause the valvel to prematurely open and operate the alarm device before thesystem was opened for operation 0 upon the occurrence of lire in thebuilding.

The object of my invention is Vto construct the maingor alarm valve ofthe system for operating an` alarm device in such a mannerthat a separate retarding device is unnecessary; `a further object is to provide the valve clapper with a movable memberor diaphragm whichV is presented toward the 1 supply pressure side of the valve, and which is adapted to yield wlienthe supply pres? sure suddenly increased thereby reducing the tendency of the clapper to open and actuate the alarm device prematurely; a urther object is to provide the clapper with `pumping mechanism, which is actuated by r the fluctuations in the supply pressure, for

building up the pressure and for maintaining the increased pressure above the clap:-k

upon the oecuriencejof a fire in and an electric circuit closer, for operating an alarm device operatively associated with the alarm valve. r u i l l" In the drawing in which like reference characters refer to like parts, a valve casing 1 is shown. having an inlet opening 2 and an outletopening, A supply pipe 4 is connected with the inlet opening 2 for supplying Water under pressure from a street main oriany other source of supply.

An outlet `pipe or riser 5-is connected. with the outlet 3 of the casing; `Said pipe 5 forms part y of the,` sprinkler system, not shown in` the drawing, in which theV pipe 5 i's- `connected with*branchpipesgclosed by sprinkler headswhich are adaptedfto open automatically by an increase of temperature ing in which the system is installed; e

Within the valve casing 1 Vis provided a valve seat 10 whiclrsurrounds the main passageway through the casing 1 from the inlet 2. A valve clapper 12. isl mountedupon an .arm- .14,.which ispivotedupon a shaft l5 secured in the casing, and adapted toumove to Vand from the valve seatf10.4 When the clapper 112 is closed upon the seat10 an inlet the buildchamber 16 is formed within the casing `1 `below the clapper and an 'outlet chamber 18 is' formed within the casing above the clapper. 1 u u i `A yieldable member 20 is secured upon the under side of the clapper 12 by means of a clamp ring 21,` secured by bolts 22 to the elapper. The peripheral ,portion of the member 20 forms a facing or gasket which is interposed between the clapper 12 and the valve seat 10 adapted to form atightjoint betweenf the clapper and the valve seat. u

' The valve seat l() is inthe form of a sleeve which is detachably securedfby means of a screw thread 23 formed thereon, which engages a` similariv thread formed within the casing 1.` Upon `the face of the valveseat 10is1provi'dedan annular groove or channel 24, which extends lengthwise through the sleeve` forming `said valve seat 10 and communicates with a recess 25 formed in the casing 1, with `which recess a pipe 26 is connected. The pipe 26v is connected with branch pipes 2f? and 28. An electric circuit closer is connected with the pipe 27 se that when water pressure is admitted through the groove 24 in the valve seat 10, due to the lifting of the clapper 12 an electric bell or any suitable signal device will be operated, in a manner well known in the art. The pipe 28 is connected with a water motor 31, which will operate a bell or signal device 32 simultaneously with the operation of the device 30 for the purpose of giving an additional alarm. l

The clapper 12 has formed therein a cavity 35 upon the under face thereot adjacent to the inlet chamber 16. The opening t said cavity 35 adjacent to the chamber 16 is closed by a movable member 36, which in the present embodiment is shown in the form of a flexible diaphragm secured to the clapper by the clamp ring 21.` The dia .phragm 36 may be made in one piece with the Vgasket 2Ov tor convenience. v

The movable member or diaphragm 36 is preferably made of flexible materia-l so that it will readily tleX from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines. Upon the central portion ot the diaphragm is secured a check valve 40 comprising a body portion 41 and a clamp portion42 adapted for securing the central portion of the diaphragm 36 between them. A central opening or port 43 is termed through the check valve body k41 and is adapted to be closed by means of a ball check 44, which engages a seat/15, and permits the free passage of pressure from the chamber 16 yinto the cavity 35 and prevents the escape of pressure from the cavity 35, in the reverse direction, into the chamber 16."

A spring 46 is located within the cavity 35 and isadapted Jfor moving the diaphragm 36 into the'normal position shown in full lines in which the body portion 41 rests upon a stop in the form of inwardly projecting lingers 48, formed upon the clamp ring 21. The clapper 12 is provided with a central opening or port 50, and a valve seat 51 at the lower end of said port, upon which seat a ball check 52 normally rests for allowing a relatively higher pressure to freely pass from the cavity 35 into the outlet chamber 18, thus preventing the pressure Vfrom returning from the chamber 18 to the cavity VThe operation of my inv ntion is as follows Water pressure is admitted to the inlet chamber 16, which passes through the port 43 into the cavity '35 and through the port into the outlet chamber 18, thus filling the system through the pipe 5. Y

Air is trapped in the system at the ends of the branch pipes connected with the pipe 5, and as the pressure varies in the chamber 18 and in the branch pipes the trapped air compresses and expands in response to water hammer in the supply pipe 4, thus permitting' the flexible portion 36 of the diaphragm to be iiexed against the pressure of the water in the chambers 35 and 18.

rlie flexible Vportion of the diaphragm 36 is smaller in area than the area ol' the passageway or opening through 'the valve seat 10 and the pipe 2, therefore when a sudden increase of the water pressure in the inlet chamber 16 occurs the diaphragm 36 will yield or lei; before the pressure will litt the clapper 12 from its seat, thus reducing the tendency o'li the clapper 12 to open.

The repeated flexing of the diaphragm or member 36 will ct as a pump, so that the successive variations in the water pressure in the ilet chamber 16, caused by sudden impulses or" pressure in the supply pipe, will causeA the diaphragm 36 to pump the pressure into the outlet chamber 18, thus causing` a greater pressure to Abe accumulated in thechamber 18 aboVe-theclapper than the normal pressure below the clapper. T he increased pressure in the chamber 18 will hold the clapper closed against sudden impulses o pressure which may o cur in the supply pipe and in the inlet chamber 16.

eWhen asudden increase of pressure in the inlet chamber 16^occurs the diaphragm 36 will be flexed and torce thewater from the eavity 35 through the port 50 into the chamber 18, thereby increasing the pressure in the. chamber 18. rlhe spring 46 will return the diaphragm 36 to the position shown in 'lull lines. The ball check 52 will retain the increased pressure in chamber 18, ,and the ball check 44 will retain the increased pressure inthe cavity Upon. each successive flexing o1: the diaphragm 36 the pressure will gradually be increased in the chamber 18 `until it is much greater than the normal pressure in the inlet chamber 16. This increased pressure in the chamber 18 will hold the clapper 12 closed upon its sea-t against asudden high increase of pressure in the supply pipe and in the chamber 16, due to water hammer in the street main or supply pipe, thus holding the clapper 12 upon. its

seat, and preventing ythe water passing through the groove 24 and the pipe 26 and .operating the alarm devices.

Then a spi surein the out nlrler headl opens, the preschamber 18 will be reduced so tha+u the pressure in the inlet chamber 16 will open the clapper 12, thus allowing the 'water pressure te pass through the annular xcoveV 24 in the valve seat 10 so that the Various other changes in construction and the arrangement ot the parts may be made without departing vfrom .my invention.

` necting said chambers, a valve clapper mov'- able to and from said seatV for separating said chamberswhen closed upon the seat, said clapper `having a greater surface exposed to the pressure inthe outlet chamber than the surface thereof exposed to thep-ressuregin the inlet chamber, means for slowly admitting pressure fromlthe inlet chamber to theY outlet chamber, said means including a flexible member mounted# upon said clapper, said member havingaportionlocated inV spaced relation with the clapper, said memberhaving one face thereof presented to said inlet chamber, means" forming a communication between the inlet chamber and the space between said member and the clapper, means formingy a communication between said space and the outlet chamber, said member arranged to yield before the clapper is lifted from its seatupona sudden increase of pressure in the inlet chamber, an alarm device, and means operatively associated with the clapperl for actuating the alarm" device when the clapper is lifted from its seat. i

2. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, avalve seat upon the casing surrounding` a passageway con necting said chambers,a valve clapper movable to and fromsadseat for*- separating said chamberswhen closedupon` the seat, said clapper having a greater surface exposed'V to the pressure in the outlet chamber than the surface thereof exposed to the presV sure in the inletfchamber, a flexible member mounted uponthe clapper, said member havinga central portion of smaller area than said passageway vsurrounded by thevalve seat arranged` in spaced relation to the clapper and havinga surface presented to` the inlet chamber adapted to yield beforethe clapper is lifted from its seat by a sudden increase of pressure inthe inlet chamber, said member having a passageway fermed therethrough forming a communication from the inlet chamber to the spacelbetween said member and the clapper, said clapper having a passageway communicating "betweensaidspace and the outlet chamber, an alarm device,and means operativelyassociated with the clapper for actuating `the alarm device when the its seat.` Y p i .3. Analarm valve'for sprinkler systems having in combination a valve clapper movable to and from a seat and forming inlet and outlet chambers within the valve, said clapper having a greater surface exposed to the pressure in theoutlet chamber than the surface thereof exposed to the pres sure in the-inlet chamber, said clapper clapper is lifted from` having a cavity formed `therein the` open end of which is presented toward said inlet chamber, saidfclapper having a port formed therein forming a passageway between said cavity and saidoutlet chamber, a` flexible member upon the clapper separating theV open end of `said cavity from saidv inlet chambeig'and said member having an open-` ing formed" through the same communicat ing between the inlet chamber and said cavity, and saidmember adapted to liex` upon a sudden increase of vpressure Within said inlet chamber prior to the openingof the clapper.

4. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve seat upon the casing surrounding `a passageway connecting said chambers, a valve clapper movl able to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat, said clapper having a greater surface exposed to the pressure in the outlet chamber than the surface thereof exposed to the pressure inthe inlet chamber, said clapper* having a cavity formed Vtherein the open end of which is presented toward said inlet chamber, saidclapper having a port formed therein forming a passagewaybetween said cavity and said outlet chamber, a-` flexible 'member' upon saidclapper `separat-` lng the open end of said cavity from` `said by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and

'an alarm device operatively associated withV said aperture in thevalve seat.

5. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a `valve seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a` valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separatV` seat, saidseat having an aperture formed therein closed by the clapper when upon said seat, an alarm device operatively connected with said aperture formed in said seat adapted `to be opened when the clapper is raised from its seat, meansupon the clapper for slowly admitting pressure from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber when the clapper is closed upon its seat, a flexible membe upon said clapper-having a portion thereof in spaced relation with the clapper, said clapper having a port formed therein communicating between the space `formed between said member and the clapper and the outlet chamber, said member having one surface thereof `presented towards the inlet chamber and arranged 'and positioned to yield under a sudden increase of pressure in the 'inlet chamber before the clapper is lifted from its seat, said member having a port formed therein, and a clieclr valvel upon said member arranged to close said port against the passage of liquid toward the inlet-chamber.

6. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve'seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said` chambers, a valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separatingT said chambers when closed upon the seat, means upon said clapper actuated by variations of pressure in the inlet chamber due to impulses in the source of supply for pumping pressure from the inlet chamber intothe outlet cl'iamber, means operable to maintain a relatively higher pressure iii the outlet chamber for holding the clap per closed upon its seat against the action of a sudden increase of pressure in the inlet chainber, vsaid valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat. Y

7. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed tliei'ein, a valve seat upon tho casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat, a movable member upon said clapper actuated by variations of pressure in the inlet chamber due to impulses in the source of supply arranged to pump pressure from the inlet chamber into the outlet chamber, va checl; valve upon the clapper for maintaining a relatively greater pressure within said outlet chamber than the normal pressure in said inlet chamber, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

8. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a vale seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat,

said clapper havingA a greater surface eX- posed to the pressure in the outlet chamber than the surface thereofJ exposed to the pressure in the inlet chamber, said clapper having a cavity formed therein the open end of which is presented 'towards saidY inlet chamber, said clapper having a port communicating between said cavity and the outlet chamber, aV flexible .member upon said clapper separating the open end of said cavity froin said inletlchaniber, said member having a passageway formed therethrough communicating between the inlet chamber and said cavity, a spring located in said cavity tending to flex said member towards said inlet chamber and permit said member to yield under a sudden increase in pressure in the inlet chamber before the clapper is lifted from its seat, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged'to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

9. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway coniiectino said chambers, a valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the eat, a check valve upon the clapper for admitting pressure from the inlet chamber to the ou"- let chamber and retaining it in the latter, a flexible member upon the clapper, said clapper having a cavit f, smaller area than said passageway surrounded by said valve seat, said flexible member positioned between tlie cavity formed in the clapper and the-inlet chamber arranged to force pressure from said cavity through the check valve into the outlet chamber when flexed by a sudden increase of pressure, in the inlet chamber, said member having a port formed therein, a check valve upon said member arranged to close said port against the return of liquid from said cavity to the inlet chamber, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seataiid opened when the clapper is-lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

l0. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve scat u;- on the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a. valve clapper inovable'to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat, said clapper having a cavity formed therein the open end of which is presented towards said inlet chamber, said clapper having a port formed therein 'forming a passageway between said cavity and said outlet chamber, a flexible member upon said clapper separating the open end of said cavity from said inlet chamber, said flexible member having a port formed therein forming a restricted passageway between said inlet chamber and said cavity, a check valve for automatically closing said port formed in the clapper against the return passage of a pressure medium from the outlet chamber into said cavity, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper islifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

11. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a valve clapper movable to and Afrom said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat, said clapper having a cavity formed therein the open end of which is presented toward said inlet chamber, said clapper having a port formed therein forming a passageway between said cavity and. said outlet chami ber, a flexible member uponsaid clapper separating the open end of said cavity from said inlet chamber, said flexible member having a port formedtherein forming a restricted passageway between said inlet chamber and said cavity, a cheek valve for automatically closing said port formed in the clapper against the return passage of a pressure medium from the outlet chamber into said cavity, a spring within said cavity tending to ileX said member toward said inlet chamber, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm` device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat. 12. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve seat upon.

the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a `valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat, said clapper having a cavity formed therein the open end of which is presented toward said inlet chamber, said clapper having a port formed therein forming a passageway between said cavity and said outlet chamber, a flexible member upon said clapper separating the open end of said cavity from said inlet chamber, said flexible member having a port formed therein forming a restricted passageway between said inlet chamber and said cavity, acheck valve for automatically closing said port formed in the valve against the return passage of a pressure medium from the outlet chamber into said cavity, a stop upon said clapper for limiting the movement of said member toward said inlet chamber, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

13. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a valve clapper movable to and from said seat forsepaa restricted passageway between said inlet chamber and said cavity, a check valve for automatically closing said port formed in the clapper against the return passage of a pressure medium from the outlet chamber into said cavity, a stop upon said clapper for limiting the movement of said member toward said inlet chamber, a spring located upon the clapper for normally holding said member against said stop, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by theclapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

14. A valve casing having inlet and outlet chambers formed therein, a valve seat upon the casing surrounding a passageway connecting said chambers, a valve clapper movable to and from said seat for separating said chambers when closed upon the seat, an alarm device operatively connected with said casing adapted to be operated when the clapper is raised from its seat, said clapper having a cavity formed therein the open end of which is presented towards said inlet chamber, said clapper having a port formed therein forming a passageway between said cavity and said outlet chamber, a flexible member upon said clapper separating the open end of said cavity from said inlet chamber, said flexible member having a. port formed therein forming a passageway between said inlet chamber and said cavity, a check valve for autcinatically closing said port formedin the clapper against the return passage of a pressure medium from the outlet chamber into said cavity, a check valve for automatically closing said port formed in said member against the return passagel of pressure medium from said cavity into the inlet chamber, said valve seat having an aperture formed therein arranged to be closed by the clapper when upon its seat and opened when the clapper is lifted from its seat, and an alarm device operatively associated with said aperture in the valve seat.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH. 

